What parts would you replace on an 870 Express to "upgrade" it?

[rbernie]

Better recoil pad, and maybe a 1-shot extension. Other than that, all you need is wear marks from use and maybe a chamber cleaning/polishing to help with extraction.

I'd avoid changing the furniture or anything else until you really use the gun a bunch and determine that the non-tactical looking stuff actually isn't working for you. Most folk find that the reason that the non-tactical stuff looks like it does is because it actually works well.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

Simple works. The last 870 I picked up was an Ohio State Highway Patrol turn-in with a 20" bbl, +3 ext, and sideshell holder. I've dropped it to a +2 and removed the shotshell holder. I'm swapping the rifle sights out for XS 24/7 big dots (the factory notch is tiny...really really tiny) and I've chopped the factory LOP to 13" and slapped on a dual compound Kickeez pad. Done! OSHP already did me a favor and installed all the character marks, scuffs, and scratches for me.

 

[Captains1911]

On mine, I replaced the mag spring and follower, the factory MIM extractor for a milled one, and the heavier carrier dog spring. Perhaps none of this was necessary, but it was not very expensive and certainly didn't hurt anything.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Extended magazine tube, maybe the new Magpul SGA stock set.

 

[btg3]

What would have to be replaced to upgrade it to near 870 Police level?

Depends on whether you're talking current production of these models or how far back. Tons of info popped up when I googled.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

There's a particular bit of info/marketing that just gets repeated over and over, like the deburred receiver, etc. The interior of my 870P is just as rough and sharp as my express line.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Anything that broke...

 

[TAKtical]

I would replace all of the parts with a benelli nova. But seriously, mesa tactical makes some excellent 870 upgrades. This thread is making me want to pick up an 870 and mod like crazy. Mesa leo stock, enidine recoil buffer, rhino rail, OD green cerakote. It would serve no realistic purpose but I still want to do it.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

Turn a functioning 870 into a 12lb brick? I don't get those 24" long full quad rail shotgun systems.

 

[lefteyedom]

a $200 tax stamp attached to a 14" barrel with a screw in chokes?

 

[Inebriated]

heavier carrier dog spring. Perhaps none of this was necessary, but it was not very expensive and certainly didn't hurt anything.

It was quite necessary for me. Mine would have a hiccup every few mags. Round would jam up into the area just under the barrel... which told me the carrier wasn't getting it up fast enough/strong enough.

Put the heavier carrier dog spring, and haven't had a single FTF in probably 1000ish rounds.

And that's what I came here to say... only one thing I say "should" be installed on an Express would be that spring. Comes on the Police models, and for me, made a difference in reliability.

 

[gaweidert]

My 870 has recently started jamming with Diana and Winchester Super Target. Both are low wall steel based. Reading around I found that the chamber may need some polishing. So I took a cleaning brush, wrapped it with 0000 steel wool and had at it. The chamber is smooth as silk now. hopefully it fixed the problem. The same strategy is used to good effect on Mosin Nagant rifles to keep steel cased round from sticking in the chamber.

I do have a 20" 870 Remington barrel that jams with everything that I put through it. Looking into the chamber is looks like Remington never even polished it after reaming it out. Cut marks around the whole length of the chamber.

I am not sure what I am going to do with this barrel. It needs to go to a machine shop for some work and I don't know if I want to spend any money on it.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

First time I took my 870 express to the range the plastic buttstock broke. I replaced it as well as the forend with a walnut stock/forend set from the P model. Additionally, I added a Limbsaver Recoil Pad and a Four Sevens Maelstrom MMX 480 lumens flashlight onto the magazine with a mount from brownells. Express model came with an extended mag and I've got it cruiser ready in the closet with 2 3/4" Hornady 00 buck.

 

[Sam1911]

Whatever breaks during your first 10,000 round break-in period.